About

$15,226

pledged of $14,000 goal

251

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This film was born on August 5th, 2012 when a lone gunman walked into the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin - the temple that Amardeep's family helped found, and where he and his family worshipped every Sunday.

By the time the deranged shooter was put down by police, six beautiful people had been killed. Among them was Amardeep's father, Satwant Singh Kaleka - who was shot multiple times while heroically battling with the shooter with nothing more than a butter knife in his hand.

Satwant Singh Kaleka, gunned down alongside six other beautiful people at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin

In the days that followed, Amardeep stepped into the public eye as an advocate for peace. But personally, he never stopped struggling to face his anger and understand why this could ever have happened.

Now, to find an answer, Amardeep - a documentary filmmaker - gathers his crew and sets out on a journey to bring together other Peacemakers - survivors of violence, reformed criminals, advocates and researchers - who are all breaking ground in studying violence and creating solutions.

With a new understanding of the small steps we can take to make a difference, they unite to launch education campaigns and political movements, and ultimately come closer to peace with their own tragic losses.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE:

As the events unfolded following August 5th, our crew had cameras rolling - knowing that someday this film would be made. Now, after spending our own time, energy, and money, we've been able to gather about 60% of the film - spending time with researchers from Stanford, survivors of the Columbine and Tuscon Safeway shootings, politicians and lobbyists in DC, violence experts, authors, and even esteemed civil rights leaders like the Reverend Al Sharpton and Congressman John Lewis.

HERE IS A SAMPLE OF THE FILM THUS FAR:

INCENTIVES MADE EASY - CHEAT SHEET

But we're not done yet! Even as our editor works daily to craft this journey into a 100 minute film, we still have several important shoots we are missing.

* We need to travel to London and meet with esteemed neurobiologist, author and criminology expert Adrian Raine. He's already picked out a date, and we've found couches to crash on. We just need the money to fly there and shoot his interview for the film! He has amazing things to say about biology and violence.

* We also need to travel to Texas to meet with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords - who was shot at the Tuscon Safeway and now, after a remarkable recovery, has become a spokesperson against gun violence. She and her foundation have already agreed for the interview.

* We're planning to go deep into Milwaukee prisons, roll with the man who is running gangs in South Central LA, visit with Ameena Matthews - a former criminal and current violence interruptor in inner city Chicago, and learn about how mental illness impacts crime from forensic criminologist Kathy Siefert. All of these shoots cost us in crew, travel and time... but we're looking for real, serious answers and this is how to find them.

* After all of this shooting, we definitely need backers to help us pay the editor - because her task is not small! We've shot over 200 hours of footage already and it's got to be strung together into the best 100 minutes possible to truly get the country's attention and inspire change.

* Backers also help us pay for things like sound design, graphics, animation, music composition and licensing - adding those critical pieces that'll really polish this film and get it noticed at major festivals and by distributors.

We've set a goal of $14,000 which will just be enough to cover a couple more critical shoots... but we are hoping to raise even more so we can meet all of the goals above.

This is a highly personal project for Amardeep and the other victims and survivors who are now a part of it... we'd like to do it all on our own dime, but the reality of film production is that things cost a LOT of money - and major studios don't want to back a project that could be controversial.

After all, they profit from violence in our society. So we're turning to you guys to join the movement and consider backing us. Every contribution counts!

This Virginia Tech Survivor is now a lobbyist for closing gun regulation loopholes, and is currently working for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington DC.

3 - MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG

New York mayor and founder of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Here's an excerpt from his Town Hall Meeting following the Sandy Hook shooting, where he invited Amardeep and other survivors to take the floor with him.

4 - DALE WEISS

This 2nd grade teacher and PhD in Education is helping us create a curriculum to promote socio-emotional development and peaceful communities in schools.

5 - "A SPARK IN THE DARK"

For the 50th Anniversary of MLK's "I Have A Dream Speech", some of our Peacemakers marched alongside thousands of others in Washington DC. The following is a speech recorded by Amardeep Kaleka, director of Peacemakers, following this event.

Much love and peace out, Peacemakers Team

Risks and challenges

This is a passion project for Amardeep and his crew, and we will produce this film no matter what it takes. We have numerous contacts and networks in the film distribution world ready and waiting to help us push this product out into the mainstream. But it is a heavy lift - more so because we are trying not only to make a film, but also find real solutions we can put into practice. We will be creating an educational curriculum, leading political movements, and backing university-level research. Thus, our challenge is simply to gather as much support as we can from the community - every step of the way to push this mission even farther and take the opportunity finally solve the violence epidemic in our nation.

Support

Select this reward

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

For $1 you can become a "Peacemaker".
We'll keep you abreast on the Movement with our Digital Newsletter. You will also get bragging rights at your next get together - "I just kickstarted this awesome documentary that is going to put a dent in violence in America and make it safer for the future generations". Bam! All for $1 dollar.

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Pledge $7 or more
About $7

This lucky number buys you a fancy wristband that earns you some new bragging rights. A grocery clerk will ask, "Hey, where'd you get that?" You'll be able to answer - "I just helped kickstart this awesome film that no major film studio wanted to make. The filmmaker uses new research and experiments from Stanford to figure out if Hollywood and video game violence is damaging our children's minds." The grocery clerk will say, "Well, is it?" Your reply: "You gotta watch the film - It's called PeaceMakers."

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Pledge $15 or more
About $15

Pre-Buy the Film:
We will send you a premiere digital copy of the film on the day that it is released. You will get a chance to watch the film on your TV, laptop, tablet, or any other digital device... and you will never be the same. Your noggin will be filled with amazing information about what makes the USA so violent, and what are the ways you can stem the tide of aggression. It's like getting a Ph.D on the issue without having to spend the five hundred study hours.

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Pledge $50 or more
About $50

Pre-Buy the DVD:
Oh man - this is the big one. You will get the limited, one of a kind, crowd funded, Special Edition DVD of the film once released. Nobody but the crowd funders will get this version of the film with it's unique cover art. And that's not all ... we'll throw in two more wristbands - one for yourself and two to give to your closest family and friends... all two of them.

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Pledge $75 or more
About $75

Share the Peace: all of the above + four more online views of the film to send as gifts. Plus a digital poster of the film that you can print and frame in your office. When somebody asks, "why do you have that awesome poster in your den?" You can say, "because I kickstarted a movement that made our world a better place to live."

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Pledge $100 or more
About $100

All of the above
+ Access to an early Behind The Scenes video (so you can see what happens when people don't think the cameras are rolling)
+ Our professionally developed "Classroom Kit"- lesson plans for creating peaceful environments in the classroom (or at home). Even if you're not a teacher, this is a WAY better gift than an apple on Teacher Appreciation Day
+ Finally, you get your NAME in the CREDITS under "With Contributions By" ... so when someone sees your poster and asks you about it, you can say, "Yeah, that's my movie, check it out. My name is even in the credits."

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Pledge $250 or more
About $250

At this level, we consider you part of our crew... and we want you to be able to show the world you helped! You'll get all of the above
+ The director will send you an autographed poster and Special Edition DVD
+ also your very own "I'm A Peacemaker - Documentary Crew" T-shirt (leave t shirt size in comment section of payment page).
+ You'll have access to a Q&A webinar with the director, and even get a chance to BE IN THE FILM! Got something to say about violence and peacemaking?
+ At this level, you'll be invited to send us your video testimonial and we just might put you on the big screen.
+ Everyone at this level will have their credits upgraded in status to our very meaningful "Thanks To"

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Pledge $1,000 or more
About $1,000

Pledge this much and we'll see you in LA! We want to send you 2 tickets to the Los Angeles Peacemakers premiere. This doesn't include travel or expenses, but you get to be part of this VIP event and see your name up on the screen as "SPECIAL Thanks To" ... because, after all, you are special.
+ All Incentives Above

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Pledge $2,500 or more
About $2,500

Ever want to walk the Red Carpet? Now's your chance. We'll invite you to the Los Angeles Peacemakers Premiere, where you'll dine with the director and producers before the show (and we're not talking In & Out Burger). After dinner, you'll stroll in style alongside other VIPS onto that Red Carpet before checking out the show YOU helped create. We'll feature your name in the credits under "This Film Would Not Have Been Possible Without" - and we mean it! + All Incentives Above.
(Note: Travel and accommodations not included, but dinner is on us!)

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Pledge $5,000 or more
About $5,000

Become an expert in the field! We'll set you up with all the knowledge and materials you need to go on a speaking tour, set up a training for your students, lead a seminar for your employees, deliver a keynote at your club... the possibilities are endless. You can even convince your administrator or boss to carve out a piece of the Training Budget. Not only do we provide the Keynote Presentation, lecture materials, and copies of the film - but we also give you the highly respected title of Associate Producer, which can be a serious advantage on your resume.
+ All Incentives Above

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Pledge $10,000
About $10,000

All of the above + A Dinner with the Director of PeaceMakers Amardeep Kaleka in your city. He will bring you all of your gifts and hand deliver them. After or before the dinner, he will also stick around for one and a half hours, if you need him to help you with anything. Need him to speak? Need him to facilitate a training seminar? Need him to cook a meal for the homeless shelter? Need him to lift your couch and move your TV? Done.